A 31-YEAR-OLD woman has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for allegedly purchasing alcohol on behalf of children aged 12 and 13 at a licensed premise in Bank Street, Irvine.

The offence was detected by officers from the town’s Locality Policing Team about 4.30pm on Friday, April 14.

In a separate incident, police also arrested two young people in the Lawthorn area on Saturday over alleged threatening and abusive behaviour.

Sergeant Jason Peter, of the Irvine Locality Policing Team, said “We are committed to keeping people safe and to working with communities and our partners to tackle issues of local concern.

“We have increased patrols, both plain clothes and high visibility, in hot spot areas and have been supported recently by volunteer Special Constables and the Police Scotland Mounted Branch.

“The consumption of alcohol by young people can have a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing while also making them more vulnerable to crime.”

On Saturday evening officers also deployed in the Lawthorn area of Irvine where two young people were arrested for alleged threatening and abusive behaviour.

Sergeant Peter added: “We are working to reduce the supply of alcohol to underage young people and will work with our partners to support responsible retailers.

“We are appealing to parents and carers to check where their children are going, what they are getting up to and encouraging them to have positive conversations about the effects of alcohol and staying safe.

“Concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour are often linked to the consumption of alcohol – we would encourage the majority of young people to distance themselves from this behaviour.”

Anyone with concerns about crime in their area is encouraged by the Irvine Locality Policing Team to contact Police Scotland by calling 101 (in an emergency always dial 999).